Chapter 10

"Hmm..."

For some reason, the father showed a difficult expression.

Then, he spoke to Rosa in a voice that sounded like he was trying to reason with her.

"Countess Tiliya is a woman who is called the 'living royal protocol.' She even served as the nurse to the king—my cousin. It's a position of great honor, and she is still considered one of the highest-ranking ladies in the country."

To Rosa, who didn't quite understand what was being said, the father explained slowly.

"If she scolded you, even the queen would have to listen. So, you should reflect on your manners and try to improve them."

Rosa's face turned red with anger.

"What!? That's not fair, it was just bullying!"

Duke Selvavalle seemed somewhat bewildered by his daughter's furious state.

"What's wrong? This isn't like you, Rosa. Your best quality is always smiling and getting along with everyone, isn't it?"

"Well, that's...!"

Rosa's smile was just a facade. She had realized at a young age that if she smiled and was nice, adults would indulge her.

When things didn't go her way, she felt like all her efforts to smile were wasted, which only made her angrier.

"And did you think that as a countess, you could never defy the royal family?"

"Of course! They're so many ranks above us!"

"You've been watching too many penny operas, fool. The court isn't that simple. You should study this opportunity."

Being scolded by her father, Rosa was in disbelief.

Her father had never scolded her before, but today he was being particularly harsh.

"Be patient. Since the engagement was broken off, you might be criticized by the ladies for a while, but there's nothing you can do about it. That's what happens when you steal a man from someone else."

"Steal... Don't say such terrible things!"

"Listen. This is nothing. Courtiers will forget about it soon. If you keep smiling as usual, you'll eventually fit in."

Being lectured by her father, Rosa felt like she was swallowing boiling water.

—How terrible! I'm so hurt, why is Papa saying such terrible things? Just because I met Falco a little later than my sister, it's unfair to say I 'stole' him!

That's right, she just met him a little later than her sister. Rosa isn't to blame. The fault lies with her sister, who is mean, jealous, and harasses Rosa because she is cute. Her sister should focus on improving herself instead of harassing others.

At the next tea party, Rosa shared this lecture with her friends and received positive feedback.

—See? So many people dislike my sister. I haven't done anything wrong.

***

The next day, Lucrezia was led to the bank by the butler.

At first, the bank clerk was wary of the well-dressed noble daughter, but when Lucrezia mentioned the name of a male banker she had known in her homeland and politely explained her intention to withdraw her private funds, he eventually understood.

"I also want to retrieve the contents of the safe I left in Illuminati. What about that?"

"That is a special safe. Even at your request, we cannot remove it without your presence. You will need to withdraw it there."

"Alright. Then, please give me some cash. I will have all my purchases billed here, so please take care of it."

After arranging for her shopping, Lucrezia stretched widely when the bank clerk left.

"Coming to the bank is always tiring."

When she spoke to the butler beside her, he kindly praised her efforts. It was a bit scary to involve strangers in her private affairs, but he seemed trustworthy.

Lucrezia had inherited assets from her mother and had an agent to manage them. Usually, she left all the complicated procedures to him, so it was rare for her to visit the bank herself, but today it was necessary.

—I need to contact my agent and have him move here.

Lucrezia's financial management office was in Illuminati. It would be inconvenient, so it would be better to move the office, but the crucial engagement was not yet finalized. If she moved and the engagement was broken off, she would have to return to Illuminati, which would be problematic. For now, the agent would have to travel between the two countries.

—When he comes, I'll have him terminate all the servants I hired under my name at the Selvavalle household and bill my father.

Since she was about to marry, there was no need to continue supporting her family.

Lucrezia made a quick decision and called the butler again.

"I want to have a few dresses made. Could you call a tailor for me?"

***

The Duke of Selvavalle noticed something was amiss after a party where he had drunk and eaten excessively and returned home drunk one morning.

He announced his return and called for a servant, but no one came.

Even when he specifically sought out the butler and told him, the butler only mumbled and didn't give a clear answer.

"Bring me some food, anything will do."

"It seems the cook has gone on strike."

"Why? I haven't mistreated them."

"Well..."

The Duke of Selvavalle was stunned when he saw the bills the butler handed him.

"What is this?"

"These are the employment fees for the servants."

"I can see that. Why are they coming now? The contract renewal is still a while away."

"An agent claiming to represent Miss Lucrezia sent over the documents for a change of employer. If you do not sign them, the servants will be immediately dismissed with severance pay."

The Duke of Selvavalle, with a fuzzy head from alcohol and sleep, tried to understand what the butler was saying.

"Damn, this is too much trouble. Lucrezia should handle all this. Where is Lucrezia?"

"Miss has already left the estate."

At that moment, the Duke of Selvavalle's drunkenness and drowsiness vanished.

He himself had driven his daughter Lucrezia out.

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